Question

Describe the Hoover Administration's responses and rationale during the onset of the Great Depression.

Answer 1

President Hoover held a deep belief in the philosophy of American individualism and maintained his position in the face of massive economic hardships the country was suffering. A figure like Hoover represented a case of the worst possible ideology in charge at the worst possible time, as he had to deal with nothing less than the Great Depression.

He consistently denied government intervention refusing to give hand-outs or any kind of direct help, basically asking instead for Americans to work harder and find their own way out of poverty, while asking businesses for a "spirit of volunteerism" keeping people employed.

After tensions had grown and protests were rising, he did put in place some programs for putting people back to work and organizing charity work. But these programs were way too small and came too late, only managing to help a tiny portion of people in need. Circumstances only got worse and the public was completely maddened by Hoover's administration. Americans didn't precisely believe that Hoover was to blame for the Great Depression but the rage towards him was a result of the president's absolute refusal to help people with immediate, direct assistance, which was needed during a time were an immense portion of citizens were struggling to even get through the day.

He left office with one of the lowest approval ratings of any president in history and was bound to lose in the following Presidential election of 1932.

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